Claude "Tige" Leon Blevins

   Claude “Tige” Leon Blevins II, 86 of Louisville, Kansas passed away, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at the Wamego Health Center.  He was born February 16, 1935, in Milford, Kansas.  Tige was the son of Claude Leon Blevins I and Stasha Irene Lawn Blevins.

   Tige attended grade school in Junction City and high school in Salina, Kansas, class of 1953. During his grade school and high school days, Tige always had a job.  He worked at a bowling alley setting pins, at a foundry, and the R.C. Cola bottling co.  At age 14 he boarded with a family near J.C. learning to be a farmer.  At age 17 they farmed together on shares.  At age 18 he was building elevators in Kansas & Nebraska.

   At age 20 Tige enlisted in the Coast Guard for four years.  While in the military he was stationed at Cape May, NJ, & New London, Connecticut for basic electronic school. Other stops included Lexington, Kentucky, Charleston, SC, Key West, Florida, and Eniwetok in the Pacific.  While there in performed A-Bomb testing at the Loran Station.  He also worked with long-range Radar.

   He completed his training at Hobe Sound and Miami Beach where he did electronic repair.  At the completion of his Coast Guard, he was ET-1 Petty Officer 1^st Class. At each place, Tige was stationed he enjoyed learning all he could about the history and geography of the area.

   After military life and his marriage to Marcile Chapman, he worked with his father and brother for a period of time, later going on his own with Marcile and their four children, establishing Golden Ridge Farms near Riley, KS. He continued working a successful Dairy Farm until 1982.  In addition to the dairy, Claude began a career in 1960 at Fort Riley. He was shop supervisor in aircraft avionics and ground radar.  He retired from Fort Riley in 1988.

   Tige married Marilyn Joy Dale, on October 10, 1987.  They purchased land along Snokomo Creek in Wabaunsee County, building their dream home, Prairie Rose Farm.  While on the farm, Tige raised milo, alfalfa, soybeans and had a small herd of Herford cattle.  In 1995 Claude became zoning administrator for Wabaunsee County, working there for 10 years, retiring in 2005 at age 70...During the 28 years on Prairie Rose farm, Tige led a good outdoor life surrounded by the beauty of Wabaunsee County Kansas, and always lots of animals.  One of his favorite things was to host an annual skeet shoot and chili feed with family. The Blevins hosted numerous family reunions.  He was a past member of the VFW post in Manhattan. He was a pretty good bowler, loved KU basketball and the Chiefs.  He enjoyed raising a vegetable garden and became a member of the Wabaunsee Garden Club with Marilyn. He loved to listen to George Jones & Willie Nelson and attended concerts when possible.  He was a political junkie and a history buff.

   In 2018 ill-health determined that it was time to sell the farm.  He moved to Prairie Ridge Subdivision near Louisville, Kansas. Illness took him to the hospital for his last days.  Last rites were administered by Father Mike of Wamego.

   Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, his children Mary “Missy” (Scott)Meter, Eva Marie Peterson, Stepson, Greg Dale, daughters-in-law, Debbie Blevins, Robbie Dale, Grandchildren Megan Blevins (Brad) Tera Blevins (Adela), Dakota Dale, Mishelle Whitney, Matt (Shannell) Peterson, Monica Bruna (Justin) Andrew Karl, Tony Karl, 11 great-grandchildren, and many other loving family & friends. 

   Mr. Blevins was preceded in death by his parents, sons, Claude “Petey” Leon Blevins, III, Michael Joseph Blevins (Deborah), Doug Dale (Robbie) and grandson Christopher Lee Blevins.

   Cremation arrangements are in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.  A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Riley City Cemetery, Riley, Kansas with Military Honors. 

   Memorials are requested to the Veterans Memorial in Wamego. And can be left at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, PO. Box 48 Wamego, KS 66547.